Smaller outside and inside than most rivals, Nissan’s Quest and the equivalent Mercury Villager are more maneuverable. Both trail the competition in refinement and acceleration. Quests have held their value more strongly, thus cost more secondhand.

Overview

Like the similar Mercury Villager, Nissan’s front-drive minivan got a major makeover for 1999, featuring new outer sheetmetal. A left-side sliding door was newly standard.

Wheelbase was unchanged, but the body grew by 4.6 inches in overall length and 1.2 inches in width, gaining 9.6 cubic feet of interior volume. Sole engine was Nissan’s 3.3-liter V6, delivering 19 more horsepower and 26 more pound-feet of torque than the previous 3.0-liter. A 4-speed automatic was the only transmission. Quests came in three forms: entry-level GXE, sporty SE, and luxury GLE. Standard equipment included antilock brakes, power door locks and front windows, air conditioning, and a security system with remote keyless entry. The GXE had a removable two-place middle bench that could be optionally fitted with child seats. SE and GLE versions substituted twin captain’s chairs. All three contained a three-person third-row bench that slid on built-in floor tracks. The sporty SE featured a firmer suspension than its mates, with performance tires on 16-inch wheels.

Yearly Updates

2000 Quest
Only minor changes were evident on the 2000 minivans from Nissan. The top-line GLE model gained a rear stabilizer bar and simulated woodgrain interior trim. Perforated upholstery went into the SE’s available Leather Package. A rear-seat video entertainment system became available as an option.

2001 Quest
Quests got a modest cosmetic touchup outside and a revised dashboard in what would be their last full season. After a brief run of 2002 models, both the Quest and the related Mercury Villager were scheduled to disappear. Meanwhile, the GLE minivan gained an in-dash CD changer, a rear cargo shelf, 16-inch wheels, and rear antiroll bar as standard equipment. Heated seats became standard in the SE and GLE, as did a new 130-watt “Super Sound” system. The SE benefited from a retuned sport suspension. Models without the available sunroof now offered an optional rear-seat entertainment system with flip-down ceiling-mounted screen and concealed VCR. A floor-mounted rear-seat video system remained available for SE and GLE models with the sunroof.

Road Test

In performance and accommodations, Quests differ little from their Mercury Villager counterparts. Acceleration is reasonably peppy from a standstill, but unimpressive in the 35-55 mph range. In fact, highway passing response borders on inadequate with a full load and the air conditioner working. Engine roar under heavy throttle is notable, though wind and tire noise are on par for this class. So is fuel economy. A test Quest, when new, averaged a less-than-frugal 16.9 mpg. Relatively compact in size, the Quest (and Villager) offer above-average minivan maneuverability, helped by firm steering with ample feel. Cornering response is crispest with the SE edition, which rides 16-inch tires instead of the usual 15-inch. The Quest’s suspension soaks up bumps decently, but overall ride quality does not match that of longer-wheelbase minivans like the Dodge Grand Caravan and Toyota Sienna. Relatively cozy, the Quest’s interior has scant clearance between any of the seats. Front seatbacks are narrow, though supportive cushions improve overall comfort. Low step-in height is pleasing, but third-row entry/exit is rather tight due to a low roof and narrow passageways. Cargo room is slim with the third seat in its normal position, though the available adjustable-height parcel shelf is handy. The third-row bench can slide forward to free up a large cargo hold, but its release handle is difficult to reach. Second-row seats remove easily. Interior storage includes a removable net between front seats, double door pockets, and numerous bins. Despite targeting upscale buyers, the Quest and Villager contain a lot of hard-surfaced interior plastic items inside, along with industrial-look switchgear and unfinished edges.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2000 Nissan Quest GXE

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4

40%

Fuel Economy - 4

40%

Ride Quality - 6

60%

Steering/Handling - 4

40%

Quietness - 5

50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5

50%

Room/Comfort Front - 5

50%

Room/Comfort Rear - 5

50%

Cargo Room - 7

70%

Other

Value - 5

50%

Total: 50

Specifications

4-door van

Wheelbase (in.)

Length (in.)

Width (in.)

Height (in.)

Weight (lbs)

112.2

194.8

74.9

64.2

Cargo Volume (cu/ft)

Payload Capacity (cu/ft)

Fuel Capacity (gal.)

Seating Capacity

135.6

20.0

7

Headroom

Legroom

Front

Rear

Front

Rear

39.7

39.9

39.9

36.4

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1999 Quest 4-door van

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5

100%

Front Passenger Injury - 5

100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5

100%

Rear Passenger Injury - 4

80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision

64

Injury

102

Theft

N/A

Trouble Spots

Engine misfire
Description: Poor idle quality or stiff accelerator action is often traced to a dirty throttle body. Can be caused by overfilling the oil in the crankcase. (1999-2000)

1999
Description: Second-row captain’s chair on right side of some minivans may have inadequate lubrication of easy-entry/exit latch system, and actuator spring could deform, causing latch to remain in unlatched position; seat would then slide freely on track, and springs would move seat to easy-entry position.

1999-00
Description: One or more of the five bolts that mount rack-and-pinion steering gear may have been incorrectly tightened; could result in steering looseness and noise or vibration. Eventually, bolts could fracture or fall out.

2001
Description: The seatbelt-buckle bolt could loosen, leaving the occupant improperly restrained in a collision.

Equipment Lists

Click on year to see equipment lists for all models offered for that model year.

Equipment Lists

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Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.